If your dog or cat’s behaviour is causing stress at home, or you’re unsure whether it’s medical, emotional or both, a behaviour consultation can bring clarity and relief. With the right care, pets can recover, adapt and thrive again.
Behavioural medicine is a collaboration — we complement trainers, work with referring vets, and take a holistic view of each case.
People are becoming more aware that true wellbeing means caring for both the emotional and physical health of animals. With professional support, real change is not only possible but sustainable.
Cost-effective care
Natasha often explains to clients that a behaviour consultation is an investment in a pet’s mental health and quality of life because chronic stress shortens our patients’ lifespans1 just as it does for people. Behavioural consults are sometimes viewed as “expensive extras”, yet in reality they can be far more cost-effective and have a bigger impact on the pet’s health than medical workups or surgery.
Mental and physical health is inextricably linked with up to 80% of behavioural cases also having physical conditions that cause or contribute to the behaviour problem2.
For example, in cats, studies show that addressing behavioural and environmental factors at home can significantly reduce the recurrence of FIC episodes3, often one of the most frustrating and costly conditions for owners to manage.
Similarly, dogs with separation-related problems and non-social fears have a higher incidence of skin disease1.
Time and space for deeper exploration
We understand that a GP vet’s time in consult is often limited, and behaviour cases rarely fit neatly into a 15- or 20-minute window. Longer consults allow for thorough exploration of the animal’s history, environment and triggers. This time and space give pet owners the opportunity to share every concern, and ensure no contributing factor is overlooked.
Integrating medical and emotional expertise
Veterinary behaviour combines medical and behavioural training, bridging the gap between physical and emotional health. This dual perspective helps identify when an underlying medical issue may be influencing behaviour (or vice versa), something that can be difficult to unpack within the constraints of a general consult. Referring a complex case doesn’t replace the GP’s care; it extends it, giving patients access to a broader diagnostic and treatment toolkit.
Supporting today’s pet population
Behavioural challenges are among the leading causes of pet relinquishment4,5. They tend to worsen over time if left untreated, especially in animals with uncertain or traumatic backgrounds. With more rescue pets entering homes, early behavioural assessment and intervention can make the difference between a successful adoption and a heartbreaking surrender.
Read more about the service our Behaviour Veterinarian, Dr Natasha Woods, offers here at AREC. And find out how to make a self-referral or a referral through your GP vet.
Sources
- Dreschel, N.A., 2010. The effects of fear and anxiety on health and lifespan in pet dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 125(3-4), pp.157-162.
- Mills, D.S., Demontigny-Bédard, I., Gruen, M., Klinck, M.P., McPeake, K.J., Barcelos, A.M., Hewison, L., Van Haevermaet, H., Denenberg, S., Hauser, H. and Koch, C., 2020. Pain and problem behavior in cats and dogs. Animals, 10(2), p.318.
- Buffington, C.T., Westropp, J.L., Chew, D.J. and Bolus, R.R., 2006. Clinical evaluation of multimodal environmental modification (MEMO) in the management of cats with idiopathic cystitis. Journal of feline medicine and surgery, 8(4), pp.261-268.
- Powdrill-Wells, N., Taylor, S. and Melfi, V., 2021. Reducing dog Relinquishment to rescue centres due to behaviour problems: identifying cases to target with an advice intervention at the point of Relinquishment Request. Animals, 11(10), p.2766.
- Carter, J. and Taylor, C.S., 2018. Socio-economic factors in companion animal relinquishment on the Sunshine Coast, Australia. Society & Animals, 28(5-6), pp.531-549.
